Plea to immunise children

IT is a question many parents struggle with - to immunise or not to immunise children.

The majority of parents choose to vaccinate their children against diseases and viruses, but there is a small percentage who believe vaccinations can cause more harm than good.

Dr Chris Hannon, from Condamine Medical Centre, said immunisations were extremely important to ensure a child's wellbeing.

"Definitely (to immunise), 100%, no doubt about it," Dr Hannon said.

Some people choose not to immunise their children due to the potential side effects but Dr Hannon said this was nothing to fear and rarely happened.

"I think there is a lot of anxiety and fear about the possible side effects, but we don't see bad reactions, ever," he said.

"We always ask when parents bring their children in if they had a reaction to it last time, and the answer is always no, literally.

"We sometimes see the minor reactions like redness around where it went in, or a bit of soreness and children can get a fever, but that never happens," Dr Hannon said.

He said the reason parents do not vaccinate their children could also be due to laziness and advised parents to consider vaccinating their children to avoid health problems.

Diseases and viruses are still very much a part of society, and Dr Hannon said the most necessary vaccines are tetanus, whooping cough and guardasil (cervical cancer).

Mother-of-five Kathy Wyvill had strong opinions about immunisations and said those who choose not to vaccinate their children are putting others at risk.

"I do definitely agree with immunisation. People don't only risk their own children, but everyone else's too," Mrs Wyvill said.

"Personally, I know some people are worried about the possible consequences and adverse reactions, but unfortunately the majority of people who aren't immunised is probably because of laziness or carelessness.

"I know it's a hard time of year, but until people start immunising, it's going to get worse," she said.